Britain's chief prosecutor has published draft guidelines on assisted suicide. Keir Starmer, the director of public prosecutions (DPP), explained his move in an article for The Telegraph newspaper this morning. [Telegraph, 23 September] http://is.gd/3AvRD Paul Tully, general secretary of SPUC Pro-Life, told the media last night: "The public interest will be damaged by an assisted suicide policy which promotes the idea that some lives don't need to be protected." [SPUC, 22 September] http://is.gd/3Bc5H SPUC Pro-Life will be commenting further following close analysis of the guidelines.
The Catholic Medical Association in America has stated its opposition to President Obama's healthcare reform plan. In an open letter to Catholics, the association warned about "the Obama administration's evident refusal to respect human life". [LifeSiteNews.com, 22 September] http://is.gd/3AAq9 Pro-life groups have warned that Mr Obama's plan would include funding for abortion.
One of Britain's main pro-abortion groups has claimed that the economic recession could lead to an explosion in sexual health problems and unplanned pregnancies. Julia Bentley, head of the Family Planning Association (FPA), also claimed that any health budget cuts to longer term contraception would mean more money having to be spent on abortion services. [BBC, 22 September] http://is.gd/3AEI7 Anthony Ozimic of SPUC commented: "This is a cynical ploy by self-serving death-dealers. Many long-acting reversible contraceptives (LARCs) may cause early abortions. For decades the FPA has been facilitating the very behaviour which leads to poor sexual health and more abortions."
Other stories:
Dissident Catholic professor, now US ambassador to Malta, praises Obama's abortion position [LifeNews.com, 21 September] http://is.gd/3AEXY
"US Catholic bishops' conference social justice arm caught funding pro-abortion groups: takes "decisive" action" [LifeSiteNews.com, 22 September] http://is.gd/3ADZk
Crime author Baroness PD James warns against allowing assisted suicide [Daily Mail, 22 September] http://is.gd/3ACWi
US Pro-life group says progress being made at US state level to enact laws protecting life [LifeNews.com, 22 September] http://is.gd/3AFnq